AWAKE! AWAKE!
Today’s Reading: Isaiah 51-52
Click scripture link to read online or HERE to listen online (then click the symbol of the audio speaker above the scripture portion).
Sunrise over the Sea of Galilee. Jesus made His home in Capernaum, which is located on the north end of this Lake. His habit was to awaken and pray even before sunrise. Like the rays of early morning light break through the clouds, so we should expect to receive God’s Word for the day. Psalm 119:130a tells us that “THE ENTRANCE OF YOUR WORDS GIVES LIGHT!!!”
GOOGLE MAPS – To see where the photo was taken, click HERE.
Key Verse: Isaiah 52:7
How beautiful upon the mountains are the feet of him who brings good news, who proclaims peace, who brings glad tidings of good things, who proclaims salvation, who says to Zion, “Your God reigns!”
Three times in today’s reading, God’s people are told, “Awake! Awake!” Three times God speaks through His prophet Isaiah and says, “Listen to Me!” God wants our undivided attention! Whatever it takes to move us to bring the Good News of Jesus is beautiful in God’s sight, even our feet! The “Good News” in today’s reading is that Messiah (Christ) will come to us. His feet, beautiful because of the message He brings, have brought Him not just to the mountains seen in the above picture but to those places where each one of us have experienced His “Peace,” His “Good things,” “Salvation,” and the fact that “God reigns!”
Isaiah wants to be wide awake and listen to the message of the One who has come to be a Servant of mankind. Specifically, he tells us about the death of the Messiah, and the total surrender that would take Him to the Cross and render Him unrecognizable because of the beatings He suffered. “His visage was marred more than any man, and His form more than the sons of man” (Isaiah 52:14). His beautiful feet were nail-pierced, as was the practice in Roman crucifixion. Read Psalm 22:14-18 and Luke 23:33-49.
PRAYER FOR TODAY:
Lord God, I pray that I will be fully “Awake!” You’ve reminded me six times about this in today’s reading. You’ve also reminded me three times to “listen” to You! I’m awake and I’m listening. You are telling me that I am to have the beautiful feet of one who, like Messiah, has the responsibility to bring the Good News to everyone I meet, and that I must support those who go to the end of the earth to bring that Good News to all! I ask for grace to sacrifice my resources, my time, and my very life in Your greatest of all causes. I pray in the Name of the One who has gone before me, Jesus, Messiah, Amen!!!
100 PERSONAL WORDS:
There were eight beautiful feet that brought Wallace, Douglas, Delbert and Merrill to that grade 12 high school classroom, where I watched their lives carefully from September to November that fall. Not only did they pass my tests for what a true Christian should be, but they shared the “Good News” of Jesus with me. The previous summer, I worked full time for the local Chrysler dealer and then part time during the school year. There were beautiful feet there too. The witness for Jesus was strong! I knew the Gospel, but as a result of my mother’s death when I was 12 and my father’s departure when I was 15 for his mission field in Egypt, I had run away from God. After grade 11 high school in a Christian boarding school, I was informed that I was not welcome to return to that school, because of my rebellion. Therefore, I ended up living with my oldest sister and her husband, moving to Pembroke, Ontario, and meeting people who, along with my sister, brought me “Good News,” “Peace,” “Glad tidings of good things,” and who proclaimed, “Salvation!”
With my time, energy, resources, and all my heart, I want to do the same for others! I may have more time to give. I definitely have more energy, and I have some resources to give.
Yours for feet that bring “Good News!”
David
Praise God for the “feet that bring Good News!” and His guidance in David’s life for this ministry. Today’s words are what I needed to hear:
“I, even I, am he who comforts you.
Who are you that you fear mere mortals, human beings who are but grass,
that you forget the Lord your Maker, who stretches out the heavens
and who lays the foundations of the earth,
that you live in constant terror every day because of the wrath of the oppressor,
who is bent on destruction?” Isaiah 51:12-13
Whom shall we fear when we are covered in the blanket of God’s unfailing love, fellow saints in the Lord? We stand strong today because we know Christ lives within us. We overcome any challenges we face today because we are well in Him. May His love and peace keep you and bless you. Stay warm. Amen.
Jim Reeves – May the Good Lord Bless and keep you
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fx-X89Apfgc
Amen, Beverlee! The Lord God bless and keep you, and all of my dear fellow blog readers today and in the coming week. May His healing touch be upon all who need it, and may we all have ears to hear what He is speaking to each of us.
Amen Deanna!
Amen Deanna and Beverlee
How beautiful is that Beverlee! I love Jim Reeves singing. Thank u for posting this.
Such a beautiful picture today, thanks Reynold. Blessings on all who love our Lord and Saviour this Monday morn. -28 here in west central Alberta. It must be January!!
Henry Nouwen: “The world is filled with ‘ifs.’ The world says: ‘Yes, I love you if you are good-looking, intelligent, and wealthy. I love you if you have a good education, a good job, and good connections. I love you if you produce much, sell much, and buy much.’ There are endless ‘ifs’ hidden in the world’s love.
“These ‘ifs’ enslave me, since it is impossible to respond adequately to all of them. The world’s love is and always will be conditional. As long as I keep looking for my true self in the world of conditional love, I will remain ‘hooked’ to the world—trying, failing, and trying again. It is a world that fosters addictions because what it offers cannot satisfy the deepest craving of my heart.”
Amen
Amen! Love Henry Nouwen!
Jesus paid it all…so we owe all to Him,thus,we give (surrender) our very souls to Him,then He begins a lifelong process of mending us from within,perhaps like washing His disciples’ feet? “…He who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.”
https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Philippians+1%3A6&version=NIV
and here is that song: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eNjZlHARnEk
Mighty Tower
You created all,thus,all is yours,
And only You have supreme power,
For You alone open our doors,
And you are the mighty Tower.
You judge most fairly in truth and love,
For Your goal is for all to receive
Their mansions in Your home above,
Abundant to those who believe.
We see the stars,as yet unnumbered
And You know what each is called by name,
When You placed them unencumbered
And gave them light with holy flame.
Your creation is more than we see,
For we are Your children in school
Who will pass to eternity
Guided by Your holy Jewel.
(G W) Bill Marshall/20-Jan-16
Dear fellow blockers it’s with great sadness and yet rejoicing but I have just lost my dearest and bestest friend she’s going to be with Jesus so I would just ask for your prayers at this very at this very trying time so thank you in advance for your prayers thank you
Praying for your peace and comfort and your best friend’s family, dear Marilyn.
God give you and the family peace and comfort
In Jesus Name Amen
God bless you Marilyn for sharing & yes, we are also sad when some one loses their bestest friend, and of course, we know that one day we will be dancing with them again, laughing with them, praying with them and eating with them again….PRAISE AND THANK THE LORD GOD FOR ALL HIS MERCIES GIVEN TO US….
Praying for peace, joy and comfort in knowing that your friend is going to be with Jesus. May God bless you always.
The Lord comfort you during this difficult time Marilyn!
Marilyn Praying that the Lord will sustain you in the difficult days that are ahead of you. I am so glad that she has gone to be with the Lord, one day you will see her again.🙏🙏🙏